Application Deadline March 4, 2026
Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation and Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation are looking to support a deserving Filipino scholar in need of financial assistance to take a master’s degree in the sciences offered in esteemed institutions in Japan:
- University of Tokyo
- Kyoto University
- Nagoya University
- Institute of Science Tokyo
- Ochanomizu University
- Waseda University
- Japan Nutrition University (formerly Kagawa Nutrition University)
This program aims to cultivate individuals to Asia in the twenty-first century and contribute to the development of Asia and the world.
The successful applicant to meet the qualifications and requirements will enjoy full support and valuable benefits.
Scholarship Inclusions
- ¥ 180,000 monthly allowance for a maximum of 2 years as a master’s course student at graduate school
- ¥ 150,000 monthly allowance for a maximum of 1 year as a research student at a graduate school
- Full coverage of examination, admission and tuition fees
- Full coverage of Medical exam, Psychological Exam and Japanese language training before going to Japan
- Airfare from the Philippines to Japan
Scholarship Duration
- Maximum of 3 years -1 year studying as a Research Student, and 2 years as a Master’s Course Student.
- For Waseda University, in principle, scholarships will be provided for 2 years studying as a Master’s Course Student.
Selection and Notification
First Screening | Late March – April 2026 |
Second Screening Interview | April 2026 |
Third Screening | May 2026 |
Results Announcement | June 2026 |
The selected applicant must complete the required university documents and ensure enrollment by October 2025. Application period and admission letter issuance differ for October enrollment. Contact the enrolling graduate school for details. | |
Important Notes
The scholarship will be suspended or terminated, if any of the following conditions listed below will apply to the scholarship recipient. According to the circumstances, the scholarship amount already disbursed may be subject to repayment in full or in part.
- Provides false information found in the application form.
- Receives any other scholarship.
- Fails to pass the entrance examination to a master’s course within one year after arriving to Japan (applicable to the recipient entering as a Research Student).
- Fails to arrive in Japan by the appointed date.
- Long-term absence due to illness or other health problems, dishonest act and poor academic performance including leaving the school and repeating a school year.
- Violates the rules and regulations of the University or Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation.
Think you have what it takes to be the next Ajinomoto Scholar?
Apply now and take the first step toward unlocking
world-class learning opportunities!
Dive into the guidelines and see if you qualify for this life-changing scholarship.
Dare to level up your education!
Follow the steps below and send your application early.
Check your Eligibility
Aspiring applicants to the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship Grant must meet the following requirements:
Qualifications during initial screening process:
- Be Filipino citizen under the age of 35 on April 1, 2026
- Have completed or is expected to complete before March 2026 over 15 years of education graduate with an excellent academic record
- Must receive recommendations from of their university president or academic advisors
- Must demonstrate a good character, excellent academics and motivation for learning.
- Should not be a current recipient of other scholarships.
- Should show financial need
Additional qualifications after passing the second screening
- Must be able to pass the admission requirements and secure acceptance as a Research or Master’s Course Student at their chosen University and be officially registered in the program.
- Must be able to pass the Japanese language proficiency test
Accomplish the following forms:
- 2027_Application Form 1
- 2027_Application Form 2
- 2027_FormFill Example
- 2027_Field of Study and Program
- 11_2027_Appendix1 Application details of the Universities
- Financial Assistance Form
- Recommendation forms
- Secure at least 2 recommendation forms from your university professors/ advisors)
- Recommendation forms must be enclosed in a sealed envelope with the signature of your professor/ advisor on the envelope’s flap.
Attach supporting documents:
- Transcript of Records (original or certified true copy)
- If your transcript does not show a General Weighted Average (GWA), provide a certificate stating your GWA and its equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA)
- If your transcript shows a General Weighted Average (GWA), provide a certificate stating its equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Certified true copy of University/ College diploma
- For graduating students who cannot provide at the time of application, submit a Certificate of Graduation.
- Photocopied proof of Japanese Language Proficiency
- Japanese Language Test Results or TOEFL and GRE scores, if available.
Documents supporting the need for financial assistance:
- Employed applicants
- Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld, and;
- Latest Certificate of Employment and Compensation indicating annual/ monthly salary, bonuses, commissions with signature of authorized company representative
- Married applicants
- Latest Income Tax Return of Certificate of Compensation/ Tax withheld of your spouse
- Latest Certificate of Employment of your spouse with signature of authorized company representative (Note: Applicant whose spouse is retired, deceased, or unemployed, submit certificate issued by a local agency, company or government with respective signature/s).
- Single and unemployed applicants
- For applicants with employed parents, submit Latest Certificate of employment of your employed parent/s.
- For applicants with self-employed parents/ guardians:
- Business/ DTI Permit, detailed description of the business
- Income and expenses financial statement of previous year
- For applicants with parents/ guardians not filing an ITR:
- Letter indicating the reason for non-filing
- Certified true copy of Certificate of Non-Filing from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- For applicants with retired parents/ guardians, submit Retirement and/or Pension Voucher
- For applicants with unemployed parents,submit Certificate of Indigency from barangay of residence with respective signatures.
- For applicants with deceased parents/ guardians, submit a certification from barangay of residence with respective signature
Submit your application.
Place all your applications documents (duly accomplished forms and attachments) in a sealed long brown envelope and send to our office. We will receive applications from Monday to Friday, except holidays, within working hours, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP SECRETARIAT Public Relations Department Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation Unit 1100, 11th Floor, V Corporate Centre 125 L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village Makati City, Philippines Contact Person: Ma. Divina “Docker” Cavestany madivina.cavestany.pk5@asv.ajinomoto.com 0917-897-4484 |
The documents submitted shall not be returned under any circumstances.
Undergo the selection process
- First Screening – APC to screen applications thoroughly and identify top 3 candidates.
- Second Screening – APC committee to conduct one-on-one interviews with the top 3 candidates.
- Third Screening – Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation selection committee conducts a more in-depth document review and assessment.
- Notification – The top-ranked student in accordance with the screening process will be notified and given the go signal to secure an informal acceptance letter from a host professor of their chosen graduate schools.
- Final – If they receive informal acceptance from a host professor, he/she will be confirmed as a successful candidate. The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation will certify him/her as an approved candidate, provided they pass the graduate school’s entrance examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you need any further clarification, please check our Frequently Asked Questions section below to see if your questions are addressed here. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, feel free to contact the scholarship secretariat. You can find the contact details in the Contact Information tab.
| Frequently Asked Questions | Answers |
Do you offer this scholarship opportunity to incoming high school and college students too? | We only offer postgraduate scholarships for students who have already graduated or are expected to graduate from college. This program is specifically for those pursuing higher education, such as a master’s degree, in their chosen field. |
I am a Filipino Citizen and currently residing overseas. Can I apply for this scholarship? | Applicants must submit their application and participate in the selection process in the Philippines. Those residing abroad are not eligible to apply. |
I already have a Master’s degree and seeking to continue a Doctorate Degree. Can I utilize this scholarship? | Our scholarship program is exclusively for post-graduate Master’s courses and cannot be applied toward Doctorate studies. |
I am already accepted in one of your partner Universities in Japan. I am currently looking for scholarship opportunity to pursue my post-graduate course for Academic Year 2026. Can I apply for this scholarship? | This scholarship is exclusively for Academic Year 2027 and cannot be applied or transferred to Academic Year 2026. |
Is this scholarship limited to the courses and universities mentioned in the appendices? Would there be a possibility that scholarship coverage would be widened to other courses and universities? | The scholarship currently covers only the specific courses and universities listed in the appendices. |
Can I submit my application documents via e-mail? | We do not accept application documents submitted via email. Applicants are required to send physical copies of their documents to our office. |
Can I submit a hand-written application form? | The foundation requires all answers on the application form to be typewritten to ensure legibility. Applicants must also provide their wet signatures, as electronic signatures are not accepted. |
Can I send my documents via same-day delivery services and ask the secretariat to meet the rider to receive my application documents? | All application documents must be delivered directly to our office’s reception area. Submissions requiring staff to meet a courier or rider at the building’s ground floor will not be entertained. Applicants are encouraged to plan for delivery lead time to ensure documents arrive on or before March 1, 2026. |
Can I personally submit my application documents to your office? | Yes, you may personally submit your application documents. Please note that our office hours are from 6:30 AM to 4:15 PM, Monday to Friday. The office is closed on holidays, so plan your visit accordingly. |
Is my pre-elementary education years counted as part of the 15 years education requirement? | No, pre-elementary education will not be counted as part of the required 15 years of education. The 15 years of education begin counting from elementary education onwards. |
Can I just submit 1 recommendation letter? | We require submission of 2 recommendation letters from your academic advisor or professors. |
Can I just submit a photocopy of my scholastic records? | We require a certified true copy of your scholastic records. Non-certified copies will not be accepted. |
Our university’s transcript of records does not indicate our General Weighted Average. What can I submit instead? | Along with your transcript of records, please submit a signed certificate that indicates your General Weighted Average (GWA). |
How do I select a host professor? | Selecting a host professor for your graduate studies depends on the specific research you wish to pursue. To find the most suitable professor and laboratory for your field of interest, visit the websites of our partner universities. There, you will find detailed information on how to contact potential professors and the procedure to follow for securing a spot in their laboratory. This step is crucial, as the match between your research interests and the professor’s expertise will help guide your academic journey. For more details, please refer to the respective university websites. |
Am I expected to receive an acceptance letter from my intended host professor from the university I wanted to enroll before I can submit my application documents? | During the application process, applicants are not required to submit an acceptance letter from their intended host professor. However, applicants are encouraged to send an intent letter to the professor of their choice during the application process. This letter should include the following:
After being selected and awarded the scholarship, recipients will need to secure a formal acceptance letter from their chosen host professor, which will be required by the Ajinomoto Foundation. This approach allows applicants to demonstrate their research interests and establish a connection with their potential host professor, but formal acceptance will come only after scholarship confirmation. |
Am I required to send my past research papers as part of my application documents? | The screening committee requires a brief explanation of your past research activities, which should include the following details:
Please use Page 1 of the Field of Study and Study Program Form for this information. There is no need to submit a full research paper; just the concise details mentioned above. |
Am I required to submit a research proposal as part of my application documents? | The screening committee requires a brief explanation of the research study (Study Program) you wish to pursue in Japan. The explanation should include:
Please complete Page 2 of the Field of Study and Study Program Form with these details. A full research proposal is not required at this stage. |
Am I required to submit a language proficiency test result (results of JPLT, EJU, TOEFL, GRE Scores and other tests provided by Japanese training institutions) as part of my application documents? | Submitting language proficiency test results is not required when you first apply for the scholarship. If you are awarded the scholarship, Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation will enroll you in a Japanese Language class to help you acquire the necessary language skills before you go to Japan. However, if you already have language proficiency test results, you may choose to submit them along with your application. |
How many will be shortlisted to proceed to the panel interview? | Only the top 3 applicants will be invited for an interview. All applicants, whether selected for the interview or not, will be notified about the status of their application. |
How will the interview be conducted? | Interviews for the scholarship will be conducted either at our office or through an online platform, depending on the applicant’s location. |
Will you return the application documents to the applicants who failed to proceed to the interview? | No, all submitted application documents will not be returned to the applicants, regardless of whether they are selected or not. |
Does this scholarship have a Return Service Agreement? | The scholarship does not have any specific obligation for the scholars to return to the Philippines or work in a particular sector after completing their studies. However, the Ajinomoto Foundation encourages scholars to use the knowledge and skills they gain to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the Philippines, promoting growth and innovation in their home country. |
DEADLINE OF APPLICATION: MARCH 4, 2026
For inquiries, please contact:
| E-mail: | To: madivina.cavestany.pk5@asv.ajinomoto.com Subject: ASEAN AJINOMOTO SCHOLARSHIP AY 2027 Note: Please expect a response within 2 days from the time you sent your inquiry. |
| Mobile Number: | Please contact: Docker Cavestany at 0917-897-4484 Note: If the applicant prefers to call for his or her inquiries, please contact the above number during office hours from 6:30 AM to 4:15 PM (Monday- Friday) only, except holidays. |
